Mary Jo McKay, 69, a long-time resident of Hattiesburg, passed away on June 27, 2024, after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by her close family. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, she worked at USM for nearly 30 years in the Alumni Association and the Department of Communication Studies, among others, and she was the house mother for everyone wherever she worked. Many Communication Studies graduates declared that they would not have graduated without her aid and support.

Mary Jo is preceded in death by her husband Ray Parnell "Mac" McKay, her parents Joseph and Olga Hamilton, and sisters Estelle Smith and Ethel Anderson. She leaves behind her daughter, Susan (Ferdinant), and son, Grant, as well as four grandchildren (Iona, John, Joseph, and Melusina).

A celebration of her life will be held at the Ogletree Alumni House on the campus of USM on Friday, July 19th at 2:00pm. It will include three of her favorite things: good food, good company, and Jimmy Buffett.